Starting Thursday, Jan. 13, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reduced its onsite workforce by at least 30 percent due to rising number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) among its personnel nationwide.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the reduced workforce will be implemented until January 22.
on Wednesday, Jan. 12, Morente said 251 of its personnel, mostly assigned at the airports, were infected by the disease, while135 are quarantined and awaiting results of their Covid-19.
“We thank Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra for considering our plight and approving our request to temporarily downgrade our workforce amid this surge,” Morente said.
He said the high number of BI personnel getting sick with the virus is really affecting our operations, but will remain open during weekdays, from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm, despite the reduced workforce.
The BI chief said that fully vaccinated clients are exempted from the online appointment system, upon presentation of their vaccination card.
Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated clients are advised to get their appointment online via http://e-services.immigration.gov.ph/.
Registered aliens reporting for the Annual Report 2022 are required to secure online appointment.